Golf - 2020

[Rosscow]

Shot 80 on Saturday morning for 35 points. Pretty happy with that, 38 on the front 9. Let it slip a little on the back but feeing good at the moment.

[bodhi]

Had the usual entertaining round on Sunday, with 3 lost balls, 2 chip ins, 3 birdies and an eagle to end up with a 78. Considering the day started with a broken golf bag and a lost ball off the first tee, I'll take that.

Luckily it was my spare bag that broke but am half thinking of splashing out - anyone tried the Motocaddy Aquaflex? Our pro shop has one left in stock, seems nice and light and will work well with my Motocaddy Cube.

https://www.motocaddy.com/uk/blog/motocaddy-launch...

[cv3hd]

Not the lightest bag or the comfiest to carry, but works well on a trolley and for occasional use through winter. The easy clip system for motocaddy trolleys is a nice touch. Side pocket storage isn’t great. On the whole I’m happy with it but only paid £110.

[kiethton]

Every round over the last week has been at or within a shot of handicap (+/-) - with numerous issues (multiple 3-putt's every round) still to fix I'm beginning to like the consistency that playing regularly brings, even if my aching bramble-scarred body doesn't.

[bodhi]

cv3hd said:

Not the lightest bag or the comfiest to carry, but works well on a trolley and for occasional use through winter. The easy clip system for motocaddy trolleys is a nice touch. Side pocket storage isn’t great. On the whole I’m happy with it but only paid £110.

Cheers for the feedback, but it turns out I had the wrong bag. Went down today and it was the 2020 Hydroflex they had in stock.

https://www.golf-monthly.co.uk/editorschoice/motoc...

They were up for £190, so usefully cheaper than other waterproof bags I've seen, so have taken a punt. Will see how we get on!

[milkround]

I'm not sure how you guys do these ridiculously low scores. I kept propper score (including lost balls and duffed shots) for the first time recently. Came home with 127 shots. Some holes good - but 4 which ended up being 10's.

I am enjoying it more though. Have a firm target to get below 120 now. I think I can do it. I managed 7 hits from 30 feet when I got involved with a bunker. And I'm going to get some lessons. Decided to try and use the easier older irons at the current tour ones are far too hard to hit.

I'm going to get a rangefinder as I don't know my distances too well. A member recommended I get one. Are the bushnells worth the money and would you guys recommend the slope version? Cheers

[danneth]

78 this afternoon and 40 points

[SpunkyGlory]

milkround said:

I'm not sure how you guys do these ridiculously low scores. I kept propper score (including lost balls and duffed shots) for the first time recently. Came home with 127 shots. Some holes good - but 4 which ended up being 10's.

I am enjoying it more though. Have a firm target to get below 120 now. I think I can do it. I managed 7 hits from 30 feet when I got involved with a bunker. And I'm going to get some lessons. Decided to try and use the easier older irons at the current tour ones are far too hard to hit.

I'm going to get a rangefinder as I don't know my distances too well. A member recommended I get one. Are the bushnells worth the money and would you guys recommend the slope version? Cheers

I'd recommend an app like Gamegolf for distances, whilst you're still new. Accurate enough and won't cost you anything.

[milkround]

SpunkyGlory said:

I'd recommend an app like Gamegolf for distances, whilst you're still new. Accurate enough and won't cost you anything.

I downloaded an app. But someone shouted at me for using my phone on the course. I went over and had a chat and he backed down pretty quickly. Meekly telling me that there is a rule that phones can't be used on the course. His suggestion was that I buy a trolly with a GPS built-in! At a ridicuous price I might add.

Not wanting to cause any problems I won't be using my phone. Which is a shame. I don't know why they have silly rules like that. The same bloke told me that my shirt should be tucked in but he'd let it go. They don't exactly go out of their way to be friendly and welcoming. It's a minefield when all I want to do is have a nice walk, a bit of exercise and try a new hobby.

The rangefinder seemed like a cheaper way other than buying one of these trolleys. Especially as I want to carry a bag. Also the friendly member who recomended the rangefinder said they were much better - he has both and uses the rangefinder much more. His handicap is 47 so I thought it was okay for rubbish golfers like me.

[thebraketester]

I use a range finder but its not much use when you are 250+ out and cant see the flag.... a GPS is great for working out hole/layup strategy

That no phone rule is ridiculous..... typical of the older golf fraternity that are scared to embrace new tech/ideas.

[Jamie VTS]

milkround said:

I downloaded an app. But someone shouted at me for using my phone on the course. I went over and had a chat and he backed down pretty quickly. Meekly telling me that there is a rule that phones can't be used on the course. His suggestion was that I buy a trolly with a GPS built-in! At a ridicuous price I might add.

Not wanting to cause any problems I won't be using my phone. Which is a shame. I don't know why they have silly rules like that. The same bloke told me that my shirt should be tucked in but he'd let it go. They don't exactly go out of their way to be friendly and welcoming. It's a minefield when all I want to do is have a nice walk, a bit of exercise and try a new hobby.

The rangefinder seemed like a cheaper way other than buying one of these trolleys. Especially as I want to carry a bag. Also the friendly member who recomended the rangefinder said they were much better - he has both and uses the rangefinder much more. His handicap is 47 so I thought it was okay for rubbish golfers like me.

Buy yourself a garmin watch. An S10 or similar.

No offence but you’ll look a tit lasering the flag and then taking 7 shots.

Not sure where you’re based, but would love to have a round with you!

[Blackpuddin]

47 handicap?

[Smiljan]

milkround said:

I should have taken this advice.

Recently I signed up using the online system and someone added themselves to play with me. To say they were unimpressed is an understatement. In the end they even implied that my attocious play was lowering their standards when they started topping the ball and fluffing his shots. I think I lost about 10 balls and ended up giving up on some holes. I did get 2 pars though! One was a 170 yard par 3 which means I must have some talent. So I'm not giving up - yet.

I have ordered a book on Amazon that is highly rated called the 5 lessons the modern fundamentals of golf. And will read it before I go back again. The bloke did give me some advice about putting and I got better at that. If the book doesn't help I will get some lessons. I don't think it helps that I joined a fancy club which is only affordable because of my age and an offer. My car doesn't exactly blend with others in the car park. I'm starting to think it was a bad idea.

I started late (in my early 40's) and began with on course lessons from a low handicap mate. That helped set me up with some basics but the biggest step change for me was finding a good golf coach and having a set of lessons.

You really need to take some lessons even if it's just a couple to begin with to get the basic setup and swing going in the right direction. Along with lessons, playing often and practicing lots are the only ways to really see the improvements coming on.

I had lessons after a coach approached me on the driving range and asked which club I was struggling with, he gave me a free half hour lesson and helped a lot. I saw the benefits of professional help right away and booked a package of lessons both on the range and on course.

That took me in a few months from hitting an average of 125-130 a round down to breaking 100.

Other than the odd round in the low 90's I haven't really improved score wise since but I rarely lose balls now and can get myself out of a lot of on course situations without dropping too many shots now. I just don't have the time or commitment to spend to practice and play to get myself much lower scores than that.

I chose my playing partners carefully too, I've played with many single figure handicaps who have never complained about my performance affecting theirs and always avoid those players who rush round at full pelt giving each other 6 foot gimmes like it's some sort of race to the finish.

To be able to enjoy the game I tend to only go to courses at times when they aren't flat out busy and courses where the challenges are acceptable for my level of play. There are many courses in the UK I've played that punish slight mis hits so severely that they just aren't enjoyable unless you play to a high standard.

Its a great game, full of frustrations and rewards and is open to all sorts of skill levels so long as you chose the course and your playing partners well.

[milkround]

Jamie VTS said:

Buy yourself a garmin watch. An S10 or similar.

No offence but you’ll look a tit lasering the flag and then taking 7 shots.

Not sure where you’re based, but would love to have a round with you!

Am in South Wales now. But originally Hampshire. If you find yourself in South Wales shoot me a message and I'd be up with a game. Just don't expect any high-quality golf from me.

[SpeckledJim]

Honestly milkround, before you spend any more money on anything else, spend £150 on lessons.

The world is full of people who started playing golf the wrong way and quit in disappointment with only a four figure loss to show for it. They're then the ones who rail against the game as elitist and snobbish, when as long as you do the basics right, it really isn't.

It sounds like you've joined a fairly stuffy club, which is unfortunate, but etiquette is valued highly everywhere worth playing and it's best that you play along, otherwise you'll be persona non grata fairly quickly, and that won't help you get on with improving scores and enjoying the game.

[sc0tt]

Another vote for lessons. I've been able to swing a club for years but not properly. The first two lessons I had opened my eyes up a lot.

Third one tonight. Still struggling with the driver.

[Dan_1981]

Yup, posted earlier in the thread, lessons will make such a difference, even if it's just four or so to get a swing pattern in place.

Forget GPS bags, or range finders. There are markers on the course to give you 50 yard ideas of the distance out that you are, but until you get some consistency you won't know if the 7 iron in your hand is going to duff it 15 yards or 150.

[Blackpuddin]

sc0tt said:

Another vote for lessons. I've been able to swing a club for years but not properly. The first two lessons I had opened my eyes up a lot.

Third one tonight. Still struggling with the driver.

Are pros doing lessons now then? (I'm in Wales, where they're not.)

[milkround]

SpeckledJim said:

Honestly milkround, before you spend any more money on anything else, spend £150 on lessons.

Going to get a block of 6 for around that money. Let's see if they can help me with my goal of shooting under 120.

Blackpuddin said:

sc0tt said:

Another vote for lessons. I've been able to swing a club for years but not properly. The first two lessons I had opened my eyes up a lot.

Third one tonight. Still struggling with the driver.

Are pros doing lessons now then? (I'm in Wales, where they're not.)

Also in Wales. And some places are doing lessons. Just no ranges open. So using a computer ball tracker, a net or on the course. Pro's can do it one on one atm in Wales.

Edited by milkround on Wednesday 17th June 09:54

[SpeckledJim]

milkround said:

SpeckledJim said:

Honestly milkround, before you spend any more money on anything else, spend £150 on lessons.

Going to get a block of 6 for around that money. Let's see if they can help me with my goal of shooting under 120.

Nice one.

If you can get to hitting a 7 iron a steady 150 yards with 95% reliability, and become just reasonable at putting, then on a good day you can play to 18 and you'll be welcome on any course anywhere.

The rest, for now, is distracting garnish.